August 17, 2023

Last week I saw a teaser for the local sports news which read, “It’s not how you begin, but how you finish.”  In one of the baseball games where the Cubs played the Mets, the Cubs went out to a very quick lead, scoring twice in the first two innings.  However, in the end they lost the game 3-4.

I think the same can be said about our spiritual journeys—how we finish is much more important than how we begin.  Unfortunately, Scripture records a sad example of that truth.

As you know, Solomon wrote most of the Old Testament book of Proverbs.  1 Kings 4:29-34 tells us:
²⁹ God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. ³⁰ Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. ³¹ He was wiser than anyone else….  And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. ³² He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five…. ³⁴ From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.

Solomon was unrivaled in his wisdom.  He wrote powerfully and insightfully about the fear of the Lord being the beginning, i.e., the foundation for knowledge and wisdom.

And yet, Solomon had a weakness for women.  He had 700 wives and 300 concubines.  Many of his wives were foreigners who worshipped foreign gods.  Eventually they turned his heart away from being faithful to God.  1 Kings 11 gives a sad commentary of the end of Solomon’s life:
⁹ The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. ¹⁰ Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the Lord’s command.

As a result, the kingdom of Israel split into the northern and southern kingdom, leaving his son to lead only two of the twelve tribes of Israel.  In addition, his son Rehoboam followed his footsteps and not only acted foolishly, but he also did not follow the Lord wholeheartedly.  This is especially tragic as we read over in over, how Solomon addressed so many of his Proverbs to his son writing repeatedly, “Listen, my son….”

This is a sobering reminder that knowledge of the Word of God is not the same thing as a life fully surrendered to God and a heart that is transformed by His Word.  We can have great insights into Scripture and know many things about its truths, but in the end, if our heart is not surrendered and transformed, our knowledge is in vain.

So let me encourage you to read and study the book of Proverbs throughout the year.  But be sure to allow God’s Word to penetrate your hearts and bear fruit in your life.  Run the race faithfully to the end and finish well, because it’s not how you begin, but how you finish that counts!

July 19, 2023

Email scams.  Credit card fraud.  Phishing text messages.  They are all geared to steal our information and ultimately to steal our money.  So it’s crucial that we not be fooled by these deceitful ploys. But there are also even more dangerous schemes of which we must be aware.

Last week I took a 3-day personal retreat in WI.  It was a good time to spend extended time alone with Jesus.  I sensed the Lord met with me.  However, upon returning home, there was a number of little things that seemed to tempt me to get frustrated or annoyed.  So on Monday, as I was running, I was talking to the Lord about it, and immediately John 10:10 came to mind:

¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The thief is none other than Satan himself.  He wants to destroy God’s kingdom and kill people with an eternal death.  We see this clearly in his interaction with Adam and Eve in Genesis.  But Satan also wants to steal away any good work that the Spirit of God does in our lives.

I see this happening in the lives of unbelievers and new believers.  God begins a good work in them, but the enemy tries to steal away any progress they make in either coming to faith or in taking further steps to get grounded in Christ.  Jesus illustrated this in the parable of the sower and the soils (Mark 4:1-8, 13-20).

But the enemy wants to do the same with us; he wants to steal away any good work that the Spirit of God does in our hearts.  That is why intimate times with Jesus or significant times when we make various commitments to the Lord are often followed by spiritual battle.

So what do we do during those times?

One of the chief ways the enemy tries to steal away God’s work in us is to plant lies in our hearts.  Sometimes those lies come as simple, subtle thoughts (John 8:44); sometimes the enemy will stir up our circumstances to play against the weakness of our flesh; other times, he will just turn up the heat of the luring culture of the world around us to dull our passion for Jesus (1 John 2:15-17).  His chief strategy is to deceive us in buying into his lies.

Therefore, we must counter those lies with God’s truth.  Jesus said in John 8:32—

³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

So beware!  The enemy prowls about like a roaring lion seeking to devour you with his lies.  Therefore, when those lies pop up in your mind, delete them just like those dangerous emails and texts.  And then guard your heart by replacing those lies with the truth of God’s Word!
 
PS- Tomorrow I’ll send you a follow-up blog on this. 

So stay tuned!

June 30, 2023

One of the on-going challenges which park rangers experience at Yellowstone is the tendency for people to underestimate the dangers of bison.  As a result, they take foolish risks in taking photos and selfies, only to have these huge beasts charge and hurt them.

Likewise, we can underestimate the dangers of sexual sin.  Instead of staying as far from the temptation as we can, we can take unwise risks, only to fall prey to the lure of sexual sin, particularly pornography.

Last Sunday we talked about sexual sin from the book of Proverbs.  At the end, I mentioned 5 things which can help in this area, but b/c of time, I only briefly mentioned them.  So here are some additional thoughts on how to avoid falling prey to sexual sin.  I’ll cover the first 2 today and the others tomorrow.

#1- Recognize that sexual sin is foolhardy and short-sighted

Last Sunday we talked extensively about the multiple warnings in Proverbs regarding the serious consequences of sexual sin.  We also talked about how we tend to fail to look far enough into the future when faced with sexual temptation.  If you missed last Sunday’s message, let me encourage you to listen to it on our website or watch it on YouTube.

#2- Stay far away from temptation

Over & over, Solomon reminds his son, stay far away from the adulteress.  For instance, Proverbs 5:7-10 says:
⁷ Now then, my sons, listen to me;
    do not turn aside from what I say.
⁸ Keep to a path far from her,
    do not go near the door of her house,
⁹ lest you lose your honor to others
    and your dignity to one who is cruel,
¹⁰ lest strangers feast on your wealth
    and your toil enrich the house of another.

Temptation is inevitable.  But succumbing to temptation is not.  Martin Luther once said, “You cannot keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair!”

I’ve mentioned before about a trucking company that was hiring truck drivers.  During the interview they asked three applicants, “If you were driving your rig near a cliff, how close can you drive that rig without falling off the edge?”

The first driver responded, “I can get within a yard of that edge!”  The second driver responded, “That’s nothing. I can get within a foot!”  The third driver said, “I don’t know how close I could get.  All I know is that if I were driving close to a cliff, I’d stay as far away as possible!”  He’s the guy who got the job!
Friends—when it comes to temptation—stay as far away as possible!  For instance, when a tantalizing pic comes up on your phone or laptop, don’t think to yourself, “How close can I come without stumbling?”  Instead, flee immediately!

1 Corinthians 10:13 says,
¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

God will provide an escape route, but you must take it.  But also realize that when it comes to sexual sin, that escape route is only open for a relatively short time.  The person who hangs around gets hung!

That’s the first 2, tomorrow we will cover the last 3.

June 21, 2023

This morning I was reading Psalm 95.  Vv. 6-11 says:
⁶ Come, let us bow down in worship,
    let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
⁷ for he is our God
    and we are the people of his pasture,
    the flock under his care.
Today, if only you would hear his voice,
⁸ “Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah,
    as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness,
⁹ where your ancestors tested me;
    they tried me, though they had seen what I did.
¹⁰ For forty years I was angry with that generation;
    I said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray,
    and they have not known my ways.’
¹¹ So I declared on oath in my anger,
    ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”

The mention of Meribah and Massah is a reference to Exodus 17:1-7.  The nation of Israel had just seen God deliver them from Egypt, first through all the miraculous plagues and then through the spectacular parting of the Red Sea.  But soon afterwards, they grumbled against Moses because of a lack of water.  So, God provided water for them.  Then they grumbled because they had nothing to eat.  So, God provided manna for them.

But then they moved on to the Desert of Sin.  In spite of witnessing God’s miraculous deliverance and experiencing His supernatural provisions, they once again grumbled about not having water as if Moses (and, by implication, God Himself) had led them into the desert to die of thirst.  God told Moses to strike the rock and out poured water.  But why did God bring water from the rock?  Perhaps it is because a rock is the last place from which one would expect water.  Or perhaps it was to show that God, who Moses would later refer to as “the Rock,” was really the Source of living water for them.  Moses then named the place Massah (meaning “testing”) and Meribah (meaning “quarreling”) because the Israelites quarreled with Moses and tested the Lord.

In Psalm 95, God warns us not to harden our hearts like the Israelites did.

Next to these verses I have written in the margin, “4/22/2021- Do not doubt your calling or what God wants to do through Hope. It is more significant than you think!”

If you remember, in April of 2021 we were still meeting at Liberty Church.  Our Saturday evening worship attendance was continuing to dwindle—and so did my faith!  But God used this Psalm and other verses to remind me to hang on to His promises and trust In Him for what He wanted to accomplish through Hope.  In essence, God was saying to me, “Don’t doubt in darkness what I have shown you in the light!”  Sure enough, one year later, God provided our Grayslake facility and today, once again, we have a positive outlook as we look into the future.

Perhaps you are going through a dark time today where you are tempted to doubt God.  Remember all the ways that the Lord, your Maker, has shown you His faithfulness—how God has cared for you as His precious possession, as a beloved sheep of His flock under His tender, watchful care (vv.6-7).  God has not led you all those times in the past only to abandon you today in the desert wilderness.  Trust in Him to provide for you His living waters of refreshment.  Trust Him that He will, if need be, split open the rock and meet your needs.  Listen to His voice and claim His promises by faith.  Don’t doubt in darkness what God has already shown you in the light!

Finally, I encourage you to join with me in believing great things for our little church.  His plans for Hope are so much more significant than you and I imagine!  They may look very different than what we might envision, but let’s together believe Him for those things—whatever they may be!

May 31, 2023

Yesterday, during my time with the Lord I was reading Psalm 66.  The psalmist is reflecting back on difficult times from which the Lord has rescued him.  He writes:
⁸ Praise our God, all peoples,
    let the sound of his praise be heard;
⁹ he has preserved our lives
    and kept our feet from slipping.
¹⁰ For you, God, tested us;
    you refined us like silver.
¹¹ You brought us into prison
    and laid burdens on our backs.
¹² You let people ride over our heads;
    we went through fire and water,
    but you brought us to a place of abundance.
¹³ I will come to your temple with burnt offerings
    and fulfill my vows to you—
¹⁴ vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke
    when I was in trouble.
¹⁵ I will sacrifice fat animals to you
    and an offering of rams;
    I will offer bulls and goats.

The psalmist praises God for His deliverance and for bringing him into a place of abundance. But in vv. 9-12, he reflects back on those past trials and he sees God’s hand in them. He acknowledges that the trials were really God’s discipline/testing in order to refine him as silver is refined by fire. He even views the actions of his enemies as sovereignly allowed by God.  It’s a good reminder that nothing can touch us except that which our loving Father has permitted to come into our lives.

But I think vv. 13-14 reflects how many of us as believers can respond during times of difficulty. When we are going through a very difficult time, we can make vows to the Lord.  Those vows are not necessarily bad.  For instance, perhaps we are not good with money and we run into financial difficulties.  So we pray, “God, if you rescue me from this financial crises, I will learn to be more responsible in the way I spend my money. I will even give You the first-fruits of my labor.”  Or perhaps we are not walking closely with the Lord and we begin to face trials. We then recommit our lives to God during those difficult times.

But unfortunately, like the nation of Israel during the time of the Judges, we can be quick to turn to the Lord during those difficult times, but also too quick to return to our former way of life. In fact, if you read through the book of Judges, you will see this cyclical pattern: the nation of Israel strays; God raises up their enemies to discipline them; in their distress, God’s people cry out for deliverance; God raises up a judge to deliver them.  But then the people revert to their former ways and the cycle repeats itself.

So how can we avoid making the same mistake?  Think back during the last time you experienced hardship.  What was your perspective on life as you went before the Lord?  Did you make any commitments back then? Like the psalmist, return to those vows and recommit yourself to walking with Jesus. 

Go before the Lord and, just like the psalmist, proclaim to God—
¹³ I will come to your temple with burnt offerings
    and fulfill my vows to you—
¹⁴ vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke
    when I was in trouble.
¹⁵ I will sacrifice fat animals to you
    and an offering of rams;
    I will offer bulls and goats.

April 16, 2023

This morning while I read the story of Samson, one verse in particular seemed to jump out at me.  God had told Samson’s parents that He was calling their son to be a Nazarite. This meant that Samson was meant to live with a special emphasis of holiness, i.e., a life set apart to God. But instead, Samson strayed from his calling.

The first indication of his waywardness was his desire to marry a foreign Philistine woman.  This was strictly forbidden by God, because God knew that unbelieving wives could turn the hearts of their husbands away from Him to worship foreign idols.  But Samson disobeyed God and instead told his father, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.”  (btw- this also points to the danger of our youth who can overemphasize the attraction of outward appearance and far underestimate the importance of someone’s inner heart.)

But the writer of Judges then makes this curious comment in Judges 14:4:
⁴ His parents did not know that this was from the Lord, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.

How could the writer of Judges say that “this was from the Lord” when clearly, Samson was disobeying God? Was his desire to marry this unbelieving foreigner from God or not?

Take a look at the above pic. Do you remember two Sundays ago in our series “Discerning God’s Will,” we talked about this diagram? We said there is God’s universal moral will which includes all His commandments.  But then there is also His sovereign will, which means that God is in control of everything—even man’s sin.

The statement in Judges 14:4 is not a statement from the perspective of God’s desired moral will, rather it is a statement of His sovereign will.  God is so sovereign that He can even use our sin for His glory and purposes. Another prime example of this is Judas. God in His sovereignty foretold that Judas would betray Jesus.  So we know that even though Judas sinned (Jesus even said that it would be better for the man who betrays him that he would never have been born), yet God sovereignly used Judas’ sin to accomplish His purpose.

This is a great encouragement to us as we look at the dark world around us. Whether it be Russia’s continued assault on Ukraine, or the civil war in Sudan, or the demise of the Christian moorings in our own country, it is a comfort to know that God is in control.  But it also serves as a reassuring encouragement to Christian parents who, in spite of their best efforts to raise their children as committed believers, see their children stray from the Lord and even make heart-breaking decisions, disobeying the direct commandments of God. Never stop praying that God will turn their hearts back to Himself; but in the meantime, remember that even when your children disobey Him, God is still in control and can still use their disobedience for His glory. 

Now that is NOT to say that we should personally use this as an excuse for ourselves to disobey God.  Remember that Samson’s life story is a tragic one.  Unlike faithful martyrs who have died with a heart to follow the Lord even in His death, Samson died as a slave to his captors, with his eyes gouged out because of His disobedience.  Even his motive in dying was not to glorify God, but rather to selfishly obtain revenge against his enemies for the loss of his eyes. That is not the picture of a man whose life ends with God’s honoring commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”  But again, just like Judas, even amidst Samson’s sin, God was still sovereign and used Samson’s death to glorify Himself.

So as you look at the world or at your loved ones who have strayed from the Lord, take heart—God is in control! But as you look at your own life, recommit yourself to a life of obedience. True joy and fulfillment in life is experienced when God is glorified in our obedience, not in spite of our disobedience.

April 5, 2023

Last Sunday, we looked at Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17 where He prayed for His disciples before going to the cross.  As we noted, the words “glorify” and “glory” are repeated throughout the prayer.  To glorify means “to praise, honor, magnify, exalt, to clothe in splendor.”  Likewise, the word “glory” carries the meaning of “brightness, radiance, splendor, magnificence.”  It is often used in Scripture when talking about the manifestation of God’s character.

In John 17:1-5, Jesus prays:
 ¹ “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you… ⁴ I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. ⁵ And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”

As we noted on Sunday, Jesus glorified the Father by fulfilling the mission which the Father had sent Him to accomplish.  And now the time has come for Jesus to return home to the Father, so He prays that the Father will glorify Him with the glory that He had before the world was created—a glory that we can only imagine!

But this exchange in glory is not just limited to the Father and Son.  There is a similar pattern as Jesus prays for us.  Jesus prays,
⁶ “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. ⁷ Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. ⁸ For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. ⁹ I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. ¹⁰ All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.”

How did the disciples glorify Jesus?  They glorified Him by believing in the words of Jesus and by obeying His commands.

But then Jesus also prays,
²² “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³ I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

In what sense has Jesus given them His glory?  First, Jesus manifested His character to His disciples.  In that way He has shown His glory to them.  In John 1:14, John writes, ^“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

But in addition, Jesus may be looking forward to the coming of His Spirit**.  In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul writes, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.  For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”  Paul tells us that as we continue to spend time with Jesus, to grow in our relationship with Him and to walk in His Spirit, Jesus then causes His Spirit to transform us from the inside out so that we reflect His character.  In that sense we are transformed into His same image from glory to glory, i.e., we increasingly reflect His glory.  In this way, Jesus gives us His glory (John 17:22) and this transforming work will empower us to be one, just as He is one with the Father.

Thus, we have this repeated pattern where Jesus compares His relationship with the Father with our relationship with Him.  Just as the Father sent Him, so Jesus sends us.  Just as He and the Father are one, so He calls us to be one.  And just as there is an exchange of glory between the Father and Son, so too we have the privilege of receiving glory from Jesus as we give Him glory.  This of course does not mean we join Him in His deity, but rather it’s a reflection of the incredible privilege that Jesus has given us in pulling us into His inner circle and allowing us to experience His glory, albeit in a much lesser degree than the exchange between Him and the Father.

There is one more time in Jesus’ prayer that He mentions “glory.”  In John 17:24, Jesus prays, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”

I’ve read this verse many times before, but somehow, I think I’ve glossed over something—perhaps you have as well.  Jesus not only looks forward to our homecoming, but He prays that we would see His glory, “the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”  Once again, Jesus is referring to His deity—that He is One with the Father.  But His reference to “before the creation of the world” ties this request with v. 5, “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”  This seems very purposeful.  In other words, Jesus prays that the Father would glorify Him with the glory that He had before creation, and now He prays we will see that glory!  What will that be like to see and personally witness the glory which Jesus shared with the Father before creation was set into motion, when there was nothing else that existed but the triune Godhead?  We have no idea what that experience will be truly like (although perhaps we get a brief glimpse of that experience when John records seeing Jesus in His exalted state in Revelation 1).  However, I can guarantee you that it will be an indescribable, overwhelming experience of fear, joy, and exhilaration all at the same time!  It will be an adrenaline rush that no experience and no drug could ever give us in this current life!  It will be ecstasy of the highest order! 

In your darkest days, when you face trials that seem overwhelming, may this prayer and this truth keep your hearts filled with hope, courage, and a resolve to keep going!
 
**Note: Jesus looks into the future and says in v.18 that He has “sent them into the world.” He uses the past tense, even though the disciples technically were not sent out until after Christ’s resurrection.  Scholars call this a “prolepsis-- the representation or assumption of a future act or development as if presently existing or accomplished” (see also John 20:21-22).  So also, Jesus may be doing the same here in v.22.  He uses the past tense (“I have given them the glory”) even though His Spirit has yet to be poured out.

March 22, 2023

January 24, 2023

As we are still processing the tragic news of the Monterey Park shooting, we were rocked this morning with the news of another mass shooting by an older man which took place yesterday in California .  67-year old Zhao Chunli shot and killed seven people in Half Moon Bay, California.

I know this will probably spark more debate about the pros and cons of gun reform and the debate over whether or not federal and local governments are doing enough to provide psychological help and support to those in need.  But there is one important aspect of this shooting that no one in the media is talking about—demonic activity.

When we read the New Testament, particularly the Gospels, we see Jesus and the disciples rescuing people from demonization.  It’s easy to assume that demonization was common back then in that “less-sophisticated” culture, but rarely occurs today.  Yet demonization is just as prevalent today as it was back then; we just don’t readily recognize it.

So what can we do?

First, be aware of the spiritual battle around us. Scripture warns us that we are in a cosmic battle.  In fact, when you read the book of Revelation, it’s obvious that behind all the major wars throughout history, there is this underlying cosmic conflict between God and Satan.  This conflict will continue until the end of times.  But this conflict is not just limited to wars, it is also manifested in our everyday life.

So Peter warns us in 1 Peter 5:8-9,
⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Note that the devil is not just trying to sniff you up, he is bent on snuffing you out!  He wants to devour you.  So he will use any means he can to trip you up or take you out.  This includes temptation, relational conflict, discouragement, etc.  In fact, just as a military general ascertains his enemy’s weakness and strategizes to exploit those weaknesses, so the Devil will do the same to you.

In light of his shrewd strategizing against us, we need to resist him, standing firm in our faith.  In Ephesians 6, Paul talks about putting on the full armor of God that we can stand firm amidst the spiritual battle.  Be particularly aware of the fiery darts of the enemy which come in the form of lies which Satan and his demonic forces whisper into our minds.  In fact, I can’t help but believe that these mass shooters somehow opened the door to the Devil by buying into one of his lies—a lie which led to other lies, which ultimately ended in them being used as an instrument of Satan.  It is why we need to stand firm on the truth of God’s Word and hold up our shield of faith.

Finally, pray.  Pray for yourself, your family, and our church.  Pray also for this nation.  Apart from a spiritual awakening, we will continue down this path of destruction.  In light of our nation’s rich spiritual heritage, I am sure the enemy sadistically enjoys seeing America caught in this quagmire of violence, deceit, and unrighteousness.  He also wants to convince everyone that the solution is just to get the right political candidate or party into power who will bring salvation to America.  And so to his delight, the political polarization and useless bickering only increases. There is only One Savior who can help pull this nation out of this steep downward slope of demise.  And so we need to pray that Jesus will have mercy on us by causing His Spirit to sweep our nation with a spiritual awakening.

And so let us grieve for our nation—not as the media and others grieve, but grieve with open eyes and with a Biblical worldview which can point to the only true Hope of the world.  Let us grieve to the point that it brings us to our knees in prayer and confession.

December 30, 2022

I’ve been reading in Genesis during my times with the Lord.  Chapter 32 contains a story that at one time perplexed me.

Previously, Jacob used deception to obtain his father’s first-born blessing, which he stole from his brother Esau.  Because Esau sought to kill Jacob out of revenge, Jacob fled to Paddan-aram where he meets his relative, Laban.  Laban is also a conniver.  So Laban and Jacob wrestle with each other, both using their fleshly wits to deceive each other to their own advantage.  But after 20 years, Jacob decides to return home.  However, as he gets close to his homeland, Jacob receives word that his brother Esau is coming out to meet him with 400 men.  Jacob, fearing for his life and the lives of his family, is distraught.  So he sends them ahead.  Here’s what the text tells us in Genesis 32:22-32:

²² That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. ²³ After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. ²⁴ So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. ²⁵ When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. ²⁶ Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”

But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

²⁷ The man asked him, “What is your name?”

“Jacob,” he answered.

²⁸ Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”

²⁹ Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.”

But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.

³⁰ So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”

³¹ The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. ³² Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip was touched near the tendon.

At first, this story puzzled me. How did this narrative pertain to the overall story? And what about Jacob’s insistence that this man whom he was wrestling bless him?  Was this another self-centered action by Jacob?  If so, why does the man seemingly view Jacob’s insistence as a positive act and therefore blesses him?

Up to this point in his life, Jacob used his fleshly wits and deception to successfully achieve his own desires and goals.  But now as he faces the ominous prospect of being confronted by his brother, he knows that there is a very high probability that Esau is coming for revenge.  Jacob is desperate and perhaps for the first time in his life, he knows he cannot connive his way out of this perilous situation.

So when Jacob meets this man, Jacob knows that he is more than just a man (see vv.29-30).  Jacob realizes that unless he receives divine help, he is in trouble.  However, he also believes that if this heavenly being blesses him, then he and his family can be delivered.  In other words, Jacob trusted that this heavenly being could bring him salvation.  What Jacob did not know, was this being was not just a heavenly being, but it was God Himself.  In fact, many believe that Jacob’s encounter was none other than a pre-incarnate visitation of Jesus Christ (see. v.30).  So Jacob’s insistence for a blessing was not an expression of self-centeredness, but rather a sincere, tenacious faith for salvation.  And for this reason, God in response, blessed him.  In essence, this was similar to Abraham’s response of faith, trusting in God’s promise.

But God’s blessing not only required faith, but it also required a breaking from self-reliance.  Perhaps that is why God dislocated Jacob’s hip.  God wanted to give Jacob a continual reminder that if he was going to experience the true blessings from God, it would not come as a result of his deceit, conniving, and fleshly planning, but rather it would only be achieved by grace through faith.

In the end, God did rescue Jacob from Esau.  And in the end, Jacob realized it was God who achieved his deliverance from Esau, not his own fleshly wits and efforts.  In fact, Jacob later exclaimed to Esau, “For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably” (Genesis 33:10b).

And so it is with us.  We are also saved by grace through faith.  But in addition, we continue to experience God’s blessings by grace through steadfastly trusting in God and the promises of His Word.  But it also requires us turning from self-reliance in our brokenness and living by tenacious faith.

So as we begin a new year, ask yourself—“Who am I trusting to meet my needs?  Who am I trusting as I make plans for this year and beyond?  Am I trusting in myself or have I learned the lesson of brokenness—broken in my own self-reliance, but tenaciously steadfast in my trust in God’s grace and promises?” 

May you also wrestle with God by faith for His blessings this coming new year!

September 15, 2022

A number of years ago, our son Justin was involved in a car accident with our car.  Because a car in front of him suddenly hit the brakes, Justin had to brake hard.  He would have avoided hitting the car, but a car behind him slammed into our car, causing our car to hit the one in front of Justin.  Thankfully, Justin was fine, but our little Toyota Corolla was totaled.  Because the insurance company of the owner of the car that rear-ended Justin was concerned for whiplash and/or back injuries, they were very anxious to settle with us quickly.  So they offered us a generous compensation for our totaled car.  After we were sure that Justin had no medical issues, we signed an agreement stating that the person whom they represented no longer owed us anything.

In essence, when we forgive someone, that is what we are doing—we are declaring to God and to ourselves that the person who offended us no longer owes us anything, i.e., we relieve them of their debt to us.  But what if the person who offended us offers no compensation nor any apology?

Two Sundays ago, Jim spoke about the much-needed topic of forgiving others (Thanks, Jim!).  He mentioned that we can be hesitant to forgive others because we think that by forgiving them, we are letting them off the hook without experiencing consequences.  In other words, we can be tempted to think that justice will not be served if we forgive them.

As I just mentioned, when we forgive our offenders, we relieve them of any debt they owe us; in essence, we take them off our hook.  However, even though they are off our hook, they are still on God’s hook.  In fact, look at what Romans 12:17-21 says:
¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

When we forgive others, they are no longer accountable to us.  However, they are still accountable to God; they are still on His hook.  In fact, when we forgive others, we remove ourselves from the equation which then brings the person face-to-face with God Himself.  And God reassures us that His justice will be fulfilled.  Forgiveness frees the hand of God to deal directly with the person without our interference.  As a result, one of two things will happen: a) either the person who offended us will truly repent (and even come to Christ if he/she is not a believer), in which case they will sincerely apologize to us either in this life or the next, or b) the person will face the wrath of God and experience His judgement, if not in this life, at least in the life to come.  Needless to say, God says it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of God in His judgement (Hebrews 10:30-31).

On the other hand, when we refuse to forgive someone, not only can we stand in the way of God’s discipline towards our offender, but God will sometimes discipline us instead.  Jesus had some very strong words against believers who refuse to forgive others (e.g.- Matthew 18:21-35).

So the next time you are hesitant to forgive someone because you fear they will get away with their offense without any consequences, be rest assured—they will not.  So take them off your hook and relieve them of their debt to you.  However, remember, they are still on God’s hook!
 
PS- One way to help you forgive and to ensure your forgiveness is sincere is to do what Paul says in vv.20-21—to actually do something good for the person.  Peter says the same thing in 1 Peter 3:9, “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”  Even though doing good to those who have offended us is the last thing we want to do, yet there are numerous reasons to do so:  a) It’s really the acid test to know whether or not our forgiveness is genuine.  b) Secondly, it can help our hearts to follow our obedient actions; i.e., doing good to our enemies out of pure obedience to the Lord can help our hearts to truly forgive the person.  c) Scripture also tells that it will “pour heaping coals on his head.”  Doing good to those who hurt us can actually help bring conviction to that person. d) Finally, doing good also comes with a promise.  Peter reminds us that God Himself will bless us.

But I should mention one cautionary note—Doing good to those who have offended us does not mean we enable the person to continue his/her bad behavior.  I could say more, but that’s a topic for another blog and this one is already too long!

August 10, 2022

This morning I was reading in Proverbs 9.  What struck me was the purposeful similarities of the voice of Wisdom and the voice of Folly.  Listen to them speak:

Proverbs 9:1-6: The voice of Wisdom
¹ Wisdom has built her house;
    she has hewn her seven pillars.
² She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine;
    she has also set her table.
³ She has sent out her young women to call
    from the highest places in the town,
⁴ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    To him who lacks sense she says,
⁵ “Come, eat of my bread
    and drink of the wine I have mixed.
⁶ Leave your simple ways, and live,
    and walk in the way of insight.”

Proverbs 9:13-18: The voice of Folly (portrayed as a prostitute)
¹³ The woman Folly is loud;
    she is seductive and knows nothing.
¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house;
    she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
¹⁵ calling to those who pass by,
    who are going straight on their way,
¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    And to him who lacks sense she says,
¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet,
    and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
¹⁸ But he does not know that the dead are there,
    that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Note the similarities: Both Wisdom and Folly are portrayed as women.  Both call from “the highest point of the city” (vv.3 & 14).  Both cry out, “Let all who are simple come to my house!” (vv.4 & 16).  Both speak “to those who have no sense” (vv.4 & 16).  Both promise a luscious banquet of food and drink (vv.5 & 17).

But then the results are in stark contrast: God’s wisdom leads to life, while folly leads to death.

So what can we learn from this?

In many ways, every human being is simple and in need of wisdom.  However, some will seek the wisdom which comes from God.  Others, either consciously or by default, will seek the folly that comes from the world and from our own flesh.

In addition, sometimes the call of God’s wisdom and the call of folly from the world (and from our flesh) may, on the surface, seem similar.  But their foundations and results are polar opposites.  We need God’s Spirit and His discernment to seek out the wisdom which truly comes from Him and not be fooled by the call of the world, the devil, and/or our own flesh.

Finally, both God and the world (and/or our flesh) seem to promise the same: a banquet of food and drink, i.e.—the fulfillment of joy and pleasure.  In one sense, both deliver.  However, God’s banquet leads to lasting joy and fulfillment—i.e., true life.  The world and our flesh only gives us temporary joy and pleasure and leads to ultimate death.

So what must we do?  Pray for God’s wisdom and His Spirit’s discernment, spend time in His Word listening to the true voice of Wisdom, and then, choose life!

June 21, 2022

This past Sunday we concluded our message series, “Discovering Our New Identity.”  As we wrapped up this series, we read aloud together a confession of that new identity which was based on Ephesians 1-3.  I want to encourage all of you to read this statement aloud daily for the next month during your time with the Lord.  Meditate on these truths.  And if there is a portion of this confession that particularly strikes you, take the time to read the related passage in Ephesians.  In addition, if you missed any of the messages in this series, I encourage you to either listen to the message on our website or watch a video of the worship service on our YouTube channel page.  At the end of this email, I included a chart that can help you determine which message you missed.

May these truths transform the way you view yourself!  Here’s the confession:

As a child of God, set apart for Christ, I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ.  God cherishes me so much that He chose me before the foundation of the world and adopted me into His holy family. (1:1-6)

I have been redeemed, forgiven from sin, and ransomed from the bondage of sin and death.  My worth is not determined by anything I have accomplished; rather my worth and significance is defined by what God has accomplished for me in Christ.  God treasures and values me so much that He was willing to pay the price of His own Son to purchase my redemption; that is what defines my worth. (1:7-10)

God views me as His inheritance—His chosen, treasured possession.  Therefore, God is working out all the details of my life according to His good and perfect will that I might be to the praise of His glory.  God has also sealed me with His Spirit, who has been given to me as a deposit, guaranteeing that I will receive the riches of His inheritance. (1:11-14)

God has created me to know Him, to fulfill His calling, to experience the riches of His glorious inheritance, and to live with His infinitely great power. (1:15-22)

I have been rescued from the bondage of the world, Satan, and my own flesh.  My salvation is a free gift of God’s grace through faith, not as a result of any good works of my own.  I am God’s wonderful workmanship, created to do good works, which God Himself will give me power to accomplish. (2:1-5)

God has raised me out of death into a new life in Jesus Christ.  Therefore, God views me as already seated with Christ in the heavenly realms.  My identity is not defined by my past nor my present, but rather who God knows I will be for eternity, seated with Christ at His throne and at His table. (2:6-10)

God has reconciled me to Himself, calling me to also seek reconciliation in all the relationships with everyone around me. (2:11-22)

I have been commissioned by God to share Christ with others, to minister in His power, and to tell others how they can be truly rich in Christ and have free access to God. (3:1-13)

God wants me to be strengthened with His power, filled with His Spirit, empowered to comprehend the incomprehensible love of Christ, and filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (3:14-19)

Because of God’s infinite power, He can and will accomplish all these things and more to the praise of His glory! (3:20-21)
 
4/24/22: Ephesians 1:1-6
5/1/2022: Ephesians 1:7-10
5/8/2022: Ephesians 1:11-14
5/15/2022: Ephesians 1:15-23
5/29/2022: Ephesians 2:11-22
6/5/2022: Ephesians 3:1-13
6/12/2022**: Ephesians 2:1-10
6/19/2022: Ephesians 3:14-21